As staff for the 21C At Risk program, the primary responsibility is creating a safe and enjoyable environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. This includes managing a student group, encouraging positive behavior, and delivering programming that adheres to district and YMCA standards.
Requirements summary
Candidates must have at least three months of experience working with school-age children and a genuine enjoyment for working with vulnerable populations, such as those facing poverty or language barriers. College courses or a degree in Education or Child Psychology are preferred.
GENERAL FUNCTIONS As the 21C staff, you create a safe and fun environment where children thrive in academics, social skills, and emotional development. You will have responsibility for a group of students and encourage positive behavior choices and character development. You will also complete regular training which will develop your skills to deliver programming and curriculum that meets the School District and YMCA standards. Employment Type: Part-time (less than 30 hours per week, not eligible for the Y's benefit package)
Skills and training
At least three months experience working with school-age children and must genuinely enjoy working with children who may be dealing with issues such as poverty, homelessness, poor hygiene, language barriers, etc.
College courses or degree in Education, Child Psychology, Human Development, or Elementary Education preferred.
Conversational Spanish speaking skills helpful.
COMPETENCIES • Relationships
Building meaningful, trusting, collaborative relationships and upholding the SMART service pledge is the core of our work. We do this by broaching sensitive topics carefully and respectfully to collaborate on solutions; working effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions and perceptions to ensure a positive experience for all stakeholders; demonstrating your understanding of student/family needs; ensuring the Y is accessible to all; actively engaging participants at every age and ability; and building relationships with students and families at participating schools. In all situations, you will effectively role model SMART service and the Y’s Core Values.
Inclusion: Due to the diverse population you serve, you must work effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Foster an environment and develop programs and activities where differences are celebrated.
Communication: Effective communication with parents, students, volunteers, Y staff, and school staff/partners, is critical to ensure quality programming that meets 21C Grant, school district and Y requirements and student needs. Listen for understanding and meaning, speak and write effectively. Effectively tailor communications to the appropriate audience to ensure understanding and collaboration.
Developing
Others: As a role model to your student group, you have an important role to build, engage, inspire, and develop your students and hold them accountable. Provide students with feedback, information, guidance, and support. Utilize non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance.
Quality
Results: Because there are many aspects to the work, you need to stay organized and manage time effectively and flexibly. Be a good steward of the Y by following and enforcing policies/procedures, achieving performance goals, and using resources wisely. Strive to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for students.
Decision
Making: The ability to respond appropriately to sensitive situations, behavior issues, and emergencies is a necessity in this role. Think creatively to determine when and what activities need to be altered to maintain student engagement. Provide students with frameworks for making decisions and healthy habits.
Safety: You are responsible for ensuring the safety of your assigned group. Conduct programs and activities in a manner that ensures student safety, follow and enforce safety precautions, and report concerns or injuries timely. Closely monitor attendance of each student to ensure all are accounted for and check-in/out procedures are followed. All staff are required to act according to facility protocol to ensure safety of all staff and children which includes:
Ensure children are properly signed in and out, ensure only authorized adults are allowed in the facility, etc.
Ensure unused rooms and closets remain locked, routinely monitor high-risk locations (locker rooms and bathrooms), etc.
Follow mandated abuse reporting requirements.
Report suspicious and inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
Attend required abuse risk management training.
Adhere to policies related to boundaries with staff and children.
Mission
Advancement: As a cause-driven staff, you will support the Y, its members, participants, and staff by living the Y’s values of CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY in all interactions and aspects of job performance and demonstrate the desire to serve others and fulfill community needs.
Emotional
Maturity and
Self
Development: In this position, you will need to accurately assess personal feelings, strengths, and limitations - and how they impact relationships. Remain calm in challenging situations. A willingness to accept feedback and make corrections is essential. Pursue professional development opportunities and attend staff meetings and training enhance job performance. Maintain all required certifications. Must maintain high level of confidentiality.
Physical
Requirements: You will need to be flexible in working within the afterschool program, as well as attend frequent staff meetings and trainings. You must be able to actively engage with students and move about freely within the school and outdoors to guide students through activities in program areas and participate in games and sports (with or without accommodations). You’ll need to move about freely throughout the school to monitor child activities and ensure the safety of all participants. Some minor lifting and pushing may be necessary to set up program space and materials. This is a very active position, on the move a great deal.
This job description represents the major functions of the job but is not intended to be all inclusive. The incumbent is also responsible for performing other duties as necessary for Association success.
Market context
Entry-level education roles remain steady in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, roles in this category often see steady demand where schools and child-focused programs need dependable support staff. Competition can be strongest for candidates who already meet age, diploma, and experience requirements, and who can quickly complete CPR, First Aid, and school-age growth and development certifications. The job requirements and benefits on this platform are AI-summarized from the original job description, helping you review fit faster; if you are considering applying, confirm how your 240 hours of approved experience is documented before you submit.
